Tuesday, 27 May 2014

THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART ANNOUNCES PHOENIX BURSARIES

Government support
initiative and pledge support to building restoration.

Professor Tom Inns available for interview at 1.15pm on 27 May, contact
Lesley Booth for further information.

The Glasgow School of Art has today announced that it is to create special
bursaries for the students most seriously affected by the fire in the
Mackintosh Building last week.

“In the aftermath of
Friday’s fire the GSA was overwhelmed with offers of support including
offers of studio space from the Scottish art schools and from a broad portfolio
of other art colleges in the UK, Europe and USA,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow
School of Art

“The beating heart of the GSA is its students
and our priority is to ensure that all those most seriously affected by the
fire are given the opportunity to rebuild their practice.”

“The GSA will therefore create special
bursaries which will enable the students have sufficient studio time to develop
their practice and make new work.”

The First Minister announced this morning that the Scottish Government is
working with the GSA to develop the scheme.

“The welfare of students is,
of course, paramount and we are working closely with GSA staff to offer all
necessary support. This includes working with the GSA to develop a Phoenix bursary
scheme offering bursary support to any student who lost work in the blaze and
needs additional time to develop their practice and rebuild their portfolio.
Further details of this scheme will be announced shortly once the GSA is
clearer about what the students need. “

The government also announced it would match fund up to £5m monies raised
by the GSA for the restoration of the building. This funding will be in addition to any longer-term funding requirements
for building recovery and restoration, and which will be supported by the
Scottish Government and its agencies following full evaluation of insurance
liability.

The First Minister said:

“The Mackintosh Building of
The Glasgow School of Art is truly unique and last week’s fire was a
devastating blow for students and staff as well as the wider arts and
architecture community worldwide. The very severe damage to the building’s
iconic library, in particular, is a cultural loss of significant
magnitude.

“The ‘Mack’ is an
extraordinary building. It is an architectural gem and the artistic heart of
Glasgow. It can and will be restored, and everything which can be done must be
done to deliver this.

“That is why the Scottish
Government is committed to providing an appropriate level of financial support
and we will, in the first instance, provide up to £5 million match-funding
for the GSA’s The Mackintosh Building Fire Appeal. We will also promote
this appeal through our international networks, encouraging lovers of the
‘Mack’, at home and abroad, to fund-raise to help restore this wonderful
building to its former glory.